The ‘family warehouses’ powering Shein and Temu’s rapid UK expansion
South China Morning PostSunday, June 29, 2025 at 12:00:08 PM
Kevin Zhang’s home in Gloucester has turned into a bustling mini-warehouse, with piles of parcels from Chinese e-commerce giants like Temu and Shein waiting to be shipped to UK customers. After years running a nail salon, Zhang jumped on the opportunity to join the booming cross-border e-commerce trend, becoming part of a hidden network of "family warehouses" that help these platforms deliver cheap goods at lightning speed.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one man’s side hustle—it’s a peek into how ultra-fast, ultra-cheap online shopping is reshaping retail. These informal home-based operations are the invisible backbone of Shein and Temu’s rapid growth, but they also raise questions about working conditions, sustainability, and how traditional retail can compete. For shoppers, it means more choices and lower prices; for workers like Zhang, it’s a new shot at economic mobility—but at what cost?
— Curated via WP Now’s
